Steerable sheath with variable curve span

Abstract

A guiding sheath assembly has a shaft that is operable to define more than one deflection curvature and defines a lumen to slidably receive a cardiovascular catheter. The guiding sheath assembly includes a proximal section, a distal section, and a stiffener member. The proximal section has a proximal shaft that defines a proximal lumen extending distally along a longitudinal axis to the distal section. The distal section has a distal shaft that defines a distal lumen that is configured to be biased (e.g., resiliently biased) laterally away from the longitudinal axis. The stiffener member is a rigid elongate member, such as an inner tubular member, that is configured to counteract the bias of the distal shaft. Longitudinal movement of the stiffener member relative to the distal section enables the operator to select and set a deflection curvature of the distal section.

Description

PRIORITY[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 715,013, entitled “Catheter with Adjustable Deflection,” filed May 18, 2015, published as U.S. Pub. No. 2016 / 0339207 on Nov. 24, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to electrophysiologic (EP) catheters, in particular, deflectable guide sheaths for use with EP catheters for mapping and / or ablation in the heart.BACKGROUND[0003]Electrode catheters have been in common use in medical practice for many years. They are used to stimulate and map electrical activity in the heart and to ablate sites of aberrant electrical activity.[0004]In use, the electrode catheter is inserted into a major vein or artery, e.g., femoral vein, and then guided into the chamber of the heart which is of concern. Within the heart, the ability to control the exact position and orientation of the catheter tip is critical and largely determines h...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a catheter with a more uniform construction and the ability to adopt more than one deflection curvature. The catheter shaft includes a flexible outer tubular member and a less flexible inner tubular member that can move longitudinally. A puller wire is included to deflect the distal section of the catheter shaft. The inner tubular member is less flexible and the outer tubular member is more flexible, which allows the operator to adjust the location of the distal end of the catheter shaft. In some embodiments, the catheter has a proximal section and a distal section, and the inner tubular member translates through the proximal and distal sections, providing flexibility adjustment between various deflection curvatures. The technical effect of this invention is improved control and flexibility of the catheter shaft, allowing better navigation through complex anatomy and more precise placement of the catheter distal end.

Problems solved by technology

The catheter is therefore a composite of different constructions and materials and consequently may not have uniform characteristics in flexibility, torsional stiffness, push-ability and / or rotational accuracy.

Assembling puller wires and their respective compression coils, feeding distal portion of the puller wires through their dedicated lumens, and connecting the two structures all require extensive skilled manual labor.

Moreover, inner walls of multi-lumened tubing occupy precious space within a catheter.

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